St. Louis Zoo

Animal cake

The St. Louis Zoo was established after the 1904 World's Fair Smithsonian Institution exhibit, the Flight Cage. The city purchased it and soon new exhibits, areas and  buildings were added through the decades to improve care of the animals, the range of animals and habitats shown, as well as education and interpretation.

In 1916, the Zoo was looking to purchase its first elephant and asked St. Louis school children for help. More than 6,000 children took part in a penny campaign that resulted in the purchase of a 35-year-old Asian elephant who had once been a circus performer. They named her Miss Jim, after James Harper president of the school board.

Later in 1921 the Bear Pits exhibit became a model for zoos around the world as it was the second of its kind to be opened in the United States.

Everyone knows Marlin Perkins, who was host of Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom, was the director of the zoo for many years during the 1960'2 through early 70's. But did you know he also quit college and staring working as a grounds keeper at the zoo. He really stared at the bottom and worked hos way up!

In 1992 Raja, the first elephant ever born at the Saint Louis Zoo. River’s Edge, which opened in 1999, was built to house a growing baby boy elephant. Today Raja is
the a father of four elephants.

Cake artist - Gregory A. Linton

One hundred-forty-two down 108 to go.